Compositions and methods for detection of Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods for the rapid detection of the presence or absence of  Staphylococcus aureus  in a biological or nonbiological sample. The present invention includes methods of detection comprising performing an amplifying step, a hybridizing step, and a detecting step. Furthermore, the present invention relates to primers, probes, and kits that are designed for the detection of  Staphylococcus aureus.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 13/116,975,filed on May 26, 2011, the entire content of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of microbial diagnostic, andmore particularly, to detection of Staphylococcus aureus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Staphylococcus aureus (“S. aureus” “SA”) is a facultative anaerobic,Gram-positive bacterium, whose natural reservoir includes the human skinand nose and can also inhabit wounds. Most people who carry S. aureusshow no sign of infection; however, S. aureus can become invasive andcause infection in the body if the normal barrier is breached. S. aureuscan cause a number of illnesses ranging from minor skin infections suchas pimples, boils, and abscesses, to major diseases such as pneumonia,meningitis, and sepsis. Tissues other than skin and nose can be infectedwhen barriers are breached, e.g., skin or mucosal lining, which leads tofuruncles and carbuncles. S. aureus infections can spread between peoplethrough skin contact with an infected person or contact with objectsused by infected person.

S. aureus posses a remarkable ability to develop resistance to the majorantibiotics, including the penicillins (methicillin, oxacillin,cloxacillin and flucloxacillin), which has earned it the label“superbug”. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium thathas become resistant to penicillins, and it is responsible for severalhuman infections that are difficult to treat. MRSA may also be known asoxacillin-resistant S. aureus (ORSA) and multiple-resistant S. aureus,while the non-methicillin resistant strains of S. aureus are sometimescalled methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA).

Diagnosis of S. aureus infection can include a physician evaluation of apatient's symptoms, which is normally not definitive because theinfection may have been caused by another bacterium, such asStreptococcus pyogenes. Blood tests, urine analysis, and sometimesx-rays can be used to diagnose S. aureus infections. A definitivediagnosis may require a culture test, which can only be obtained aftermany hours or days, delaying the patient's treatment.

Certain PCR assays have been developed that are designed for thespecific detection of MRSA due to its increased clinical significance inhospital and community acquired diseases. Literature indicates, however,that there is also significant clinical need to detect S. aureus whetheror not it is antibiotic resistant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for the rapid detection of thepresence or absence of S. aureus in a biological or nonbiologicalsample. The present invention includes methods of detection comprisingperforming at least one cycling step, which includes an amplifying stepand a hybridizing step. Furthermore, the present invention relates toprimers, probes, and kits that are designed for the detection of S.aureus. The gene targeted in the methods of the present invention forthe detection of S. aureus is a Capsular Polysaccharide Enzyme (CPE)gene. For example, the CPE gene target cap5N was chosen because it wasdetermined to be specific to S. aureus and not present in otherStaphylococcal species, and also and demonstrated good homology withinS. aureus. The CPE gene has an unconfirmed function as a reductaseenzyme in the pathway to produce S. aureus capsular polysaccharide(O'Riordan et al., 2004, Clin. Microbial. Rev. 17(1):218-234).

In one aspect, the present invention provides an oligonucleotidecomprising or consisting of a sequence of nucleotides selected from SEQID NOs: 2-4, 6, 8-10, 12, and 14-34 or a complement thereof, whicholigonucleotide has 100 or fewer nucleotides. In another aspect, thepresent invention provides an oligonucleotide that includes a nucleicacid having at least 70% sequence identity (e.g., at least 75%, 80%,85%, 90% or 95%, etc.) to one of SEQ ID NOs: 2-4, 6, 8-10, 12, and14-34, or a complement thereof, which oligonucleotide has 100 or fewernucleotides. Generally, these oligonucleotides may be primer nucleicacids, probe nucleic acids, or the like in these embodiments. In certainof these embodiments, the oligonucleotides have 40 or fewer nucleotides(e.g., 35 or fewer nucleotides, 30 or fewer nucleotides, etc). In someembodiments, the oligonucleotides comprise at least one modifiednucleotide, e.g., to alter nucleic acid hybridization stability relativeto unmodified nucleotides. Optionally, the oligonucleotides comprise atleast one label and/or at least one quencher moiety. In someembodiments, the oligonucleotides include at least one conservativelymodified variation.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method fordetecting SA in a sample, the method comprising performing an amplifyingstep comprising contacting the sample with a set of SA CPE primers toproduce an amplification product if SA is present in the sample;performing a hybridizing step comprising contacting the amplificationproduct with one or more detectable SA CPE probes; and detecting thepresence or absence of the amplified product, wherein the presence ofthe amplified product is indicative of the presence of SA in the sampleand wherein the absence of the amplified product is indicative of theabsence of SA in the sample. In one embodiment, each primer of the setof SA CPE primers comprises or consists of a sequence of nucleotidesselected from the group consisting of SEQ NOs: 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, and14-26, or a complement thereof; and wherein the one or more detectableSA CPE probes comprise or consists of a sequence of nucleotides selectedfrom the group consisting SEQ ID NOs: 4, 10, and 27-34, or a complementthereof. In some embodiments, a hybridizing step includes contacting theamplification product with a probe that is labeled with a donorfluorescent moiety and a corresponding acceptor fluorescent moiety. Themethod further includes detecting the presence or absence offluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the donorfluorescent moiety and the acceptor fluorescent moiety of the probe. Thepresence or absence of fluorescence is indicative of the presence orabsence of SA in the sample.

In one aspect, amplification can employ a polymerase enzyme having 5′ to3′ exonuclease activity. Thus, the first and second fluorescent moietiesmay be within no more than 5 nucleotides of each other along the lengthof the probe. In another aspect, the SA probe includes a nucleic acidsequence that permits secondary structure formation. Such secondarystructure formation generally results in spatial proximity between thefirst and second fluorescent moiety. According to this method, thesecond fluorescent moiety on the probe can be a quencher.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a kit for detectinga nucleic acid of SA. The kit can include a first oligonucleotidecomprising or consisting of a sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 2, 8, 12, and 14-20, or a complement thereof;a second oligonucleotide comprising or consisting of a sequence selectedfrom the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 6, 9, and 2-26, or acomplement thereof; and a third detectably labeled oligonucleotidecomprising or consisting of a sequence selected from the groupconsisting of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 10, and 27-34, or a complement thereof.

In one aspect, the kit can include probes already labeled with donor andcorresponding acceptor fluorescent moieties, or can include fluorophoricmoieties for labeling the probes. The kit can also include nucleosidetriphosphates, nucleic acid polymerase, and buffers necessary for thefunction of the nucleic acid polymerase. The kit can also include apackage insert and instructions for using the primers, probes, andfluorophoric moieties to detect the presence or absence of SA in asample.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materialssimilar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in thepractice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods andmaterials are described below. In addition, the materials, methods, andexamples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Allpublications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Incase of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, willcontrol.

The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth inthe accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features,objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedrawings and detailed description, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the reference gene sequence of the cap5N Staphylococcusaureus Capsular Polysaccharide Enzyme gene.

FIG. 2A-2D show amplicon sequences for Staphylococcus aureus, eachincluding the upstream primer (_), downstream primer (_), and probe (_).

FIG. 3A-3D show amplification curves for detection of Staphylococcusaureus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A real-time assay for detecting S. aureus in a sample is describedherein. The present invention provides for methods of detecting S.aureus, whether or not it is methicillin resistant. Primers and probesfor detecting S. aureus are provided, as are articles of manufacture orkits containing such primers and probes. The increased sensitivity ofreal-time PCR for detection of S. aureus compared to other methods, aswell as the improved features of real-time PCR including samplecontainment and real-time detection of the amplified product, makefeasible the implementation of this technology for routine diagnosis ofS. aureus infections in the clinical laboratory.

The methods include performing at least one cycling step that includesamplifying a portion of a SA CPE nucleic acid molecule from a sampleusing a pair of CPE primers, “CPE primers” as used herein refers tooligonucleotide primers that specifically anneal to nucleic acidsequences encoding CPE, and initiate synthesis therefrom underappropriate conditions. Each of the CPE primers anneals to a targetwithin or adjacent to a CPE nucleic acid molecule such that at least aportion of each amplification product contains nucleic acid sequencecorresponding to CPE. The CPE amplification product is produced providedthat CPE nucleic acid is present in the sample, thus the presence of theCPE amplification product is indicative of the presence of SA in thesample. The amplification product should contain the nucleic acidsequences that are complementary to one or more detectable CPE probes.Each cycling step includes an amplification step, as hybridization step,and a detection step, in which the sample is contacted with the one ormore detectable CPE probes for detection of the presence or absence ofSA in the sample.

As used herein, the term “amplifying” refers to the process ofsynthesizing nucleic acid molecules that are complementary to one orboth strands of a template nucleic acid molecule (e.g., SA CPE nucleicacid molecules). Amplifying a nucleic acid molecule typically includesdenaturing the template nucleic acid, annealing primers to the templatenucleic acid at a temperature that is below the melting temperatures ofthe primers, and enzymatically elongating from the primers to generatean amplification product. Amplification typically requires the presenceof deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, a DNA polymerase enzyme (e.g.,Platinum® Taq) and an appropriate buffer and/or co-factors for optimalactivity of the polymerase enzyme (e.g. MgCl₂ and/or KCl).

The term “primer” is used herein as known to those skilled in the artand refers to oligomeric compounds, primarily to oligonucleotides butalso to modified oligonucleotides that are able to “prime” DNA synthesisby a template-dependent DNA polymerase, i.e., the 3′-end of the e.g.,oligonucleotide provides a free 3′-OH group whereto further“nucleotides” may be attached by a template-dependent DNA polymeraseestablishing 3′ to 5′ phosphodiester linkage whereby deoxynucleosidetriphosphates are used and whereby pyrophosphate is released. Therefore,there is—except possibly for the intended function—no fundamentaldifference between a “primer”, an “oligonucleotide”, or a “probe”according to the invention.

The term “hybridizing” refers to the annealing of one or more probes toan amplification product. Hybridization conditions typically include atemperature that is below the melting temperature of the probes but thatavoids non-specific hybridization of the probes.

The term “5′ to 3′ exonuclease activity” refers to an activity of anucleic add polymerase, typically associated with the nucleic acidstrand synthesis, whereby nucleotides are removed from the 5′ end ofnucleic acid strand.

The term “thermostable polymerase” refers to a polymerase enzyme that isheat stable, i.e., the enzyme catalyzes the formation of primerextension products complementary to a template and does not irreversiblydenature when subjected to the elevated temperatures or the timenecessary to effect denaturation of double-stranded template nucleicacids. Generally, the synthesis is initiated at the 3′ end of eachprimer and proceeds in the 5′ to 3′ direction along the template strand.Thermostable polymerases have been isolated from Thermus flavus, T.ruber, T. thermophilus, T. aquaticus, T. lacteus, T. Rubens, Bacillusstearothermophilus, and Methanothermus fervidus. Nonetheless,polymerases that are not thermostable also can be employed in PCR assaysprovided the enzyme is replenished.

The term “complement thereof” refers to nucleic acid that is both thesame length as, and exactly complementary to, a given nucleic acid.

The term “extension” or “elongation” when used with respect to nucleicacids refers to when additional nucleotides (or other analogousmolecules) are incorporated into the nucleic acids. For example, anucleic acid is optionally extended by a nucleotide incorporatingbiocatalyst, such as a polymerase that typically adds nucleotides at the3′ terminal end of a nucleic add.

The terms “identical” or percent “identity” in the context of two ormore nucleic add sequences, refer to two or more sequences orsubsequences that are the same or have a specified percentage ofnucleotides that are the same, when compared and aligned for maximumcorrespondence, e.g., as measured using one of the sequence comparisonalgorithms available to persons of skill or by visual inspection.Exemplary algorithms that are suitable for determining percent sequenceidentity and sequence similarity are the BLAST programs, which aredescribed in, e.g., Altschul et al. (1990) “Basic local alignment searchtool” J. Mol. Biol. 215:403-410, Gish et al. (1993) “Identification ofprotein coding regions by database similarity search” Nature Genet.3:266-272, Madden et al, (1996) “Applications of network BLAST server”Meth. Enzymol, 266:131-141, Altschul e al. (1997) “Gapped BLAST andPSI-BLAST: a new generation of protein database search programs” NucleicAcids Res. 25:3389-3402, and Zhang et al. (1997) “PowerBLAST: A newnetwork BLAST application for interactive or automated sequence analysisand annotation” Genome Res. 7:649-656, which are each incorporatedherein by reference.

A “modified nucleotide” in the context of an oligonucleotide refers toan alteration in which at least one nucleotide of the oligonucleotidesequence is replaced by a different nucleotide that provides a desiredproperty to the oligonucleotide. Exemplary modified nucleotides that canbe substituted in the oligonucleotides described herein include, e.g., aC5-methyl-dC, a C5-ethyl-dC, a C5-methyl-dU, a C5-ethyl-dU, a2,6-diaminopurine, a C5-propynyl-dC, a C5-propynyl-dU, a C7-propynyl-dA,a C7-propynyl-dG, a C5-propargylamino-dC, a C5-propargylamino-dU, aC7-propargylamino-dA, a C7-propargylamino-dG, a7-deaza-2-deoxyxanthosine, a pyrazolopyrimidine analog, a pseudo-dU, anitro pyrrole, a nitro indole, 2′-0-methyl Ribo-U, 2′-0-methyl Ribo-C,an N4-ethyl-dC, an N6-methyl-dA, and the like. Many other modifiednucleotides that can be substituted in the oligonucleotides of theinvention are referred to herein or are otherwise known in the art. Incertain embodiments, modified nucleotide substitutions modify meltingtemperatures (Tm) of the oligonucleotides relative to the meltingtemperatures of corresponding unmodified oligonucleotides. To furtherillustrate, certain modified nucleotide substitutions can reducenon-specific nucleic acid amplification (e.g., minimize primer dimerformation or the like), increase the yield of an intended targetamplicon, and/or the like in some embodiments of the invention. Examplesof these types of nucleic acid modifications are described in, e.g.,U.S. Pat. No. 6,001,611, which is incorporated herein by reference.

S. aureus Nucleic Acids and Oligonucleotides

The invention provides methods to detect SA by amplifying, for example,a portion of the SA CPE gene nucleic acid. Nucleic acid sequences fromSA are available (see, for example, GenBank Accession No. NC_002745).Specifically, primers and probes to amplify and detect SA CPE nucleicacid molecules are provided by the present invention.

For detection of SA, primers and probes to amplify CPE nucleic acidmolecules are provided. CPE nucleic acids other than those exemplifiedherein can also be used to detect SA in a sample. For example,functional variants can be evaluated for specificity and/or sensitivityby those of skill in the art using routine methods. Representativefunctional variants can include, e.g., one or more deletions,insertions, and/or substitutions in the CPE nucleic adds disclosedherein.

More specifically, the oligonucleotides of the present invention eachinclude a nucleic acid with a sequence selected from SEQ ID NOS: 2-4, 6,8-10, 12, and 14-34, a substantially identical variant thereof in whichthe variant has at least, e.g., 80%, 90%, or 95% sequence identity toone of SEQ ID NOS: 2-4, 6, 8-10, 12, and 14-34, or a complement of SEQID NOS: 2-4, 6, 8-10, 12, and 14-34 and the variant.

TABLE I Up Primers SEQ ID NO SEQUENCE 2 5′-ACACCAATGAACCCTACGACC-3′ 85′-GATAAGCTTATTGAACAAGGACATCAA-3′ 12 5′-AAGATAAGCTTATTGAACAAGGACATC-3′14 5′-AGGCGTACATGGATATATCGGTAA-3′ 15 5′-GCTTATTGAACAAGGACATCAA-3′ 165′-GATAAGCTTATTGAACAAGGACATC-3′ 17 5′-ACACCAATGAACCCTACGAC-3′ 185′-ACACCAATGAACCCTAGGA-3′ 19 5′-ACCAATGAACCCTACGACC-3′ 205′-ATACACAAACACCAATGAACCCTAC-3′

TABLE II Dn Primers SEQ ID NO SEQUENCE 3 5′-TAATTGATCAATAAATGCTGTCAGA-3′6 5′-GATCAATAAATGCTGTCAGATGTTTAA-3′ 9 5′-CTTGAGGTGAATTGTTGTGAACC-3′ 215′-TGCTTGAGGTGAATTGTTGTGAA-3′ 22 5′-AGATAGCCTTGCTTGAGGTGAA-3′ 235′-CTTGAGGTGAATTGTTGTGAA-3′ 24 5′-TGAGGTGAATTGTTGTGAACC-3′ 255′-CAATAAATGCTGTCAGATGTTTAA-3′ 26 5′-TAATTGATCAATAAATGCTGTCA-3′

TABLE III Probes SEQ ID NO SEQUENCE 4 5′-TTGCCCAGGAAATTTCCAACGGTT-3′ 105′-TTAGGAATCAATTATGGAAGTCGACCTCGT-3′ 27 5′-TGGTGCACATTGCCCAGGAAATTT-3′28 5′-CATTGCCCAGGAAATTTCCAACGGTT-3′ 29 5′-CCCAGGAAATTTCCAACGGTT-3′ 305′-CGAGGTCGACTTCCATAATTGATTCCT-3′ 315′-ACGAGGTCGACTTCCATAATTGATTCCTAA-3′ 32 5′-AAATTTCCTGGGCAATGTGCACCA-3′33 5′-AACCGTTGGAAATTTCCTGGGCAATG-3′ 34 5′-AACCGTTGGAAATTTCCTGGGCAA-3′

TABLE IV AMPLICONS SEQ ID NO SEQUENCE 55′-ACACCAATGA ACCCTACGAC CAACTATGGT ATTTCCAAAAAGTTCGCTGA ACAAGCATTA CAAGAATTGA TTAGTGATTCGTTTAAAGTA GCAATTGTGA GACCACCAAT GATTTATGGTGCACATTGCC CAGGAAATTT CCAACGGTTA ATGCAATTGTCAAAGCGATT GCCAATCATT CCCAATATTA ACAATCAGCGCAGTGCATTA TATATTAAAC ATCTGACAGC ATTTATTGAT CAATTA-3′ 75′-ACACCAATGA ACCCTACGAC CAACTATGGT ATTTCCAAAAAGTTCGCTGA ACAAGCATTA CAAGAATTGA TTAGTGATTCGTTTAAAGTA GCAATTGTGA GACCACCAAT GATTTATGGTGCACATTGCC CAGGAAATTT CCAACGGTTA ATGCAATTGTCAAAGCGATT GCCAATCATT CCCAATATTA ACAATCAGCGCAGTGCATTA TATATTAAAC ATCTGACAGC ATTTATTGAT C-3′ 115′-GATAAGCTTA TTGAACAAGG ACATCAAGTA GATCAAATTAATGTTAGGAA TCAATTATGG AAGTCGACCT CGTTCAAAGATTATGATGTT TTAATTCATA CAGCAGCTTT GGTTCACAAC AATTCACCTC AAG-3′ 135′-AAGATAAGCT TATTGAACAA GGACATCAAG TAGATCAAATTAATGTTAGG AATCAATTAT GGAAGTCGAC CTCGTTCAAAGATTATGATG TTTTAATTCA TACAGCAGCT TTGGTTCACA ACAATTCACC TCAAG-3′

In one embodiment of the invention, a particular set of CPE primers andprobe is used in order to provide for detection of SA in a biologicalsample suspected of containing SA. The set of primers and probe maycomprise at least one primer and probe specific for CPE comprising orconsisting of a nucleic acid sequence selected from the group consistingof SEQ ID NOs: 2-4, 6, 8-10, 12, and 14-34. In another embodiment of theinvention, the primer and for CPE comprises or consists of afunctionally active variant of any of the primers of SEQ ID NOs: 2-4, 6,8-10, 12, and 14-34.

A functionally active variant of any of the primers and/or probes of SEQID NOs: 2-4, 6, 8-10, 12, and 14-34 may be identified by using theprimers and/or probes in the method of the invention. A functionallyactive variant of a primer and/or probe of any of the SEQ ID NOs: 2-4,6, 8-10, 12, and 14-14 pertains to a primer which provides a similar orhigher specificity and sensitivity in the method or kit of the inventionas compared to the respective sequence of SEQ ID NO 2-4, 6, 8-10, 12,and 14-34.

The variant may, e.g., vary from the sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 2-4, 6,8-10, 12, and 14-34 by one or more nucleotide additions, deletions orsubstitutions such as one or more nucleotide additions, deletions orsubstitutions at the 5′ end and/or the 3′ end of the respective sequenceof SEQ ID NOs: 2-4, 6, 8-10, 12, and 14-34. As detailed above, a primer(and/or probe) may be chemically modified, i.e., a primer and/or probemay comprise a modified nucleotide or a non-nucleotide compound. A probe(or a primer) is then a modified oligonucleotide. “Modified nucleotides”(or “nucleotide analogs”) differ from a natural “nucleotide” by somemodification but still consist of a base or base-like compound, apentofuranosyl sugar or a pentofuranosyl sugar-like compound, aphosphate portion or phosphate-like portion, or combinations thereof.For example, a “label” may be attached to the base portion of a“nucleotide” whereby a “modified nucleotide” is obtained. A natural basein a “nucleotide” may also be replaced by, e.g., a 7-cesazapurinewhereby a “modified nucleotide” is obtained as well. The terms “modifiednucleotide” or “nucleotide analog” are used interchangeably in thepresent application. A “modified nucleoside” (or “nucleoside analog”)differs from a natural nucleoside by some modification in the manner asoutlined above for a “modified nucleotide” (or a “nucleotide analog”).

Oligonucleotides including modified oligonucleotides and oligonucleotideanalogs that amplify as nucleic acid molecule encoding SA, e.g., nucleicacids encoding alternative portions of CPE, can be designed using, forexample, a computer program such as OLIGO (Molecular Biology InsightsInc., Cascade, Colo.). Important features when designingoligonucleotides to be used as amplification primers include, but arenot limited to, an appropriate size amplification product to facilitatedetection (e.g., by electrophoresis), similar melting temperatures forthe members of a pair of primers, and the length of each primer (i.e.,the primers need to be long enough to anneal with sequence-specificityand to initiate synthesis but not so long that fidelity is reducedduring oligonucleotide synthesis). Typically, oligonucleotide primersare 8 to 50 nucleotides in length (e.g. 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22,24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, or 50 nucleotides inlength).

In addition to a set of primers, the methods of the invention may useone or more probes in order to detect the presence or absence of SA. Theterm “probe” refers to synthetically or biologically produced nucleicacids (DNA or RNA), which by design or selection, contain specificnucleotide sequences that allow them to hybridize under definedpredetermined stringencies specifically (i.e., preferentially) to“target nucleic acids”, in the present case to a SA CPE (target) nucleicacid. A “probe” can be referred to as a “detection probe” meaning thatit detects the target nucleic acid.

According to the invention, the CPE probe can be labeled with at leastone fluorescent label. In one embodiment, the CPE probe can be labeledwith a donor fluorescent moiety, e.g., a fluorescent dye, and acorresponding acceptor fluorescent moiety, e.g., a quencher.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one probe comprisesor consists of a fluorescent moiety and a nucleic acid sequencesselected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs: 4, 10, and 27-34(shown without the label).

Designing oligonucleotides to be used as hybridization probes can beperformed in a manner similar to the design of primers. Embodiments ofthe present invention may use a single probe or a pair of probes fordetection of the amplification product. Depending on the embodiment, theprobe(s) use may comprise at least one label and/or at least onequencher moiety. As with the primers, the probes usually have similarmelting temperatures, and the length of each probe must be sufficientfor sequence-specific hybridization to occur but not so long thatfidelity is reduced during synthesis. Oligonucleotide probes aregenerally 15 to 30 (e.g., 16, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, or 25) nucleotidesin length.

Constructs of the present invention include vectors containing a SA CPEnucleic acid molecule (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 2-4, 6, 8-10, 12, and 14-34).Constructs of the invention can be used, for example, as controltemplate nucleic acid molecules. Vectors suitable for use in the presentinvention are commercially available and/or produced by recombinantnucleic acid technology methods routine in the art. SA CPE nucleic acidmolecules can be obtained, for example, by chemical synthesis, directcloning from SA, or by PCR amplification.

Constructs suitable for use in the methods of the invention typicallyinclude, in addition to SA CPE nucleic acid molecules (e.g., a nucleicacid molecule that contains one or more sequences of SEQ ID NOs: 2-4, 6,8-10, 12, and 14-34), sequences encoding a selectable marker (e.g., anantibiotic resistance gene) for selecting desired constructs and/ortransformants, and an origin of replication. The choice of vectorsystems usually depends upon several factors, including, but not limitedto, the choice of host cells, replication efficiency, selectability,inducibility, and the ease of recovery.

Constructs of the invention containing CPE nucleic acid molecules can bepropagated in a host cell. As used herein, the term host cell is meantto include prokaryotes and eukaryotes such as yeast, plant and animalcells. Prokaryotic hosts may include E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium,Serratia marcescens, and Bacillus subtilis. Eukaryotic hosts includeyeasts such as S. cerevisiae, S. pombe, Pichia pastoris, mammalian cellssuch as COS cells or Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, insect cells,and plant cells such as Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum. Aconstruct of the invention can be introduced into a host cell using anyof the techniques commonly known to those of ordinary skill in the art.For example, calcium phosphate precipitation, electroporation, heatshock, lipofection, microinjection, and viral-mediated nucleic acidtransfer are common methods for introducing nucleic acids into hostcells. In addition, naked DNA can be delivered directly to cells (see,e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,580,859 and 5,589,466).

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,202, 4,683,195, 4,800,159, and 4,965,188 discloseconventional PCR techniques. PCR typically employs two oligonucleotideprimers that bind to a selected nucleic add template (e.g., DNA or RNA).Primers useful in the present invention include oligonucleotides capableof acting as a point of initiation of nucleic acid synthesis within SACPE nucleic acid sequences (e.g., SEQ ID NOs 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, and14-27). A primer can be purified from a restriction digest byconventional methods, or it can be produced synthetically. The primer ispreferably single-stranded for maximum efficiency in amplification, butthe primer can be double-stranded. Double-stranded primers are firstdenatured, i.e., treated to separate the strands. One method ofdenaturing double stranded nucleic acids is by heating.

If the template nucleic acid is double-stranded, it is necessary toseparate the two strands before it can be used as a template in PCR.Strand separation can be accomplished by any suitable denaturing methodincluding physical, chemical or enzymatic means. One method ofseparating the nucleic acid strands involves heating the nucleic aciduntil it is predominately denatured (e.g., greater than 50%, 60%, 70%,80%, 90% or 95% denatured). The heating conditions necessary fordenaturing template nucleic acid will depend, e.g., on the buffer saltconcentration and the length and nucleotide composition of the nucleicacids being denatured, but typically range from about 90° C. to about105° C. for a time depending on features of the reaction such astemperature and the nucleic acid length. Denaturation is typicallyperformed for about 30 sec to 4 min (e.g., 1 min to 2 min 30 sec. or 1.5min).

If the double-stranded template nucleic acid is denatured by heat, thereaction mixture is allowed to cool to a temperature that promotesannealing of each primer to its target sequence on the CPE nucleic acid.The temperature for annealing is usually from about 35° C. to about 65°C. (e.g., about 40° C. to about 60° C.; about 45° C. to about 50° C.).Annealing times can be from about 10 sec to about 1 min (e.g., about 20sec to about 50 sec; about 30 sec to about 40 sec). The reaction mixtureis then adjusted to a temperature at which the activity of thepolymerase is promoted or optimized, i.e., a temperature sufficient forextension to occur from the annealed primer to generate productscomplementary to the template nucleic acid. The temperature should besufficient to synthesize an extension product from each primer that isannealed to a nucleic acid template, but should not be so high as todenature an extension product from its complementary template (e.g., thetemperature for extension generally ranges from about 40° C. to about80° C. (e.g., about 50° C. to about 70° C.; about 60° C.). Extensiontimes can be from about 10 sec to about 5 min (e.g., about 30 sec toabout 4 min; about 1 min to about 3 min; about 1 min 30 sec to about 2min).

PCR assays can employ SA nucleic acid such as RNA or DNA (cDNA). Thetemplate nucleic acid need not be purified; it may be a minor fractionof a complex mixture, such as SA nucleic acid contained in human cells.SA nucleic acids may be extracted from a biological sample by routinetechniques such as those described in Diagnostic Molecular Microbiology:Principles and Applications (Pers'ng et al. (eds), 1993, AmericanSociety for Microbiology, Washington D.C.). Nucleic acids can beobtained from any number of sources, such as plasmids, or naturalsources, including bacteria, yeast, viruses, organelles, or higherorganisms such as plants or animals.

The oligonucleotide primers (e.g., SEQ ID NOs: 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 12, and14-27) are combined with PCR reagents under reaction conditions thatinduce primer extension. For example, chain extension reactionsgenerally include 50 mM KCl, 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.3), 15 mM MgCl₂,0.001% (w/v) gelatin, 0.5-1.0 μg denatured template DNA, 50 pmoles ofeach oligonucleotide primer, 2.5 U of Taq polymerase, and 10% DMSO). Thereactions usually contain 150 to 320 μM each of dATP, dCTP, dTTP, dGTP,or one or more analogs thereof.

The newly synthesized strands form a double-stranded molecule that canbe used in the succeeding steps of the reaction. The steps of strandseparation, annealing, and elongation can be repeated as often as neededto produce the desired quantity of amplification products correspondingto the target CPE nucleic acid molecule. The limiting factors in thereaction are the amounts of primers, thermostable enzyme, and nucleosidetriphosphates present in the reaction. The cycling steps (i.e.,denaturation, annealing, and extension) are preferably repeated at leastonce. For use in detection, the number of cycling steps will depend,e.g., on the nature of the sample. If the sample is a complex mixture ofnucleic acids, more cycling steps will be required to amplify the targetsequence sufficient for detection. Generally, the cycling steps arerepeated at least about 20 times, but may be repeated as many as 40, 60,or even 100 times.

Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)

FRET technology (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,996,143, 5,565,322,5,849,489, and 6,162,603) is based on a concept that when a donorfluorescent moiety and a corresponding acceptor fluorescent moiety arepositioned within a certain distance of each other, energy transfertakes place between the two fluorescent moieties that can be visualizedor otherwise detected and/or quantitated. The donor typically transfersthe energy to the acceptor when the donor is excited by light radiationwith a suitable wavelength. The acceptor typically re-emits thetransferred energy in the form of light radiation with as differentwavelength.

In one example, a oligonucleotide probe can contain a donor fluorescentmoiety and a corresponding quencher, which dissipates the transferredenergy in a form other than light. When the probe is intact, energytransfer typically occurs between the two fluorescent moieties such thatfluorescent emission from the donor fluorescent moiety is quenched.During an extension step of a polymerase chain reaction, a probe boundto an amplification product is cleaved by the 5′ to 3′ exonucleaseactivity of, e.g., a Taq Polymerase such that the fluorescent emissionof the donor fluorescent moiety is no longer quenched. Exemplary probesfor this purpose are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,210,015,5,994,056, and 6,171,785. Commonly used donor-acceptor pairs include theFAM-TAMRA pair. Commonly used quenchers are DABCYL and TAMRA. Commonlyused dark quenchers include BlackHole Quencher™ (BHQ), (BiosearchTechnologies, Inc., Novato, Calif.), Iowa Black™, (Integrated DNA Tech.,Inc., Coralville, Iowa), BlackBerry™ Quencher 650 (BBQ-650), (Berry &Assoc., Dexter, Mich.).

In another example, two oligonucleotide probes, each containing afluorescent moiety, can hybridize to an amplification product atparticular positions determined by the complementarity of theoligonucleotide probes to the CPE target nucleic acid sequence. Uponhybridization of the oligonucleotide probes to the amplification productnucleic acid at the appropriate positions, a FRET signal is generated.Hybridization temperatures can range from about 35° C. to about 65° C.for about 10 sec to about 1 min.

Fluorescent analysis can be carried out using, for example, a photoncounting epifluorescent microscope system (containing the appropriatedichroic mirror and filters for monitoring fluorescent emission at theparticular range), a photon counting photomultiplier system, or afluorometer. Excitation to initiate energy transfer can be carried outwith an argon ion laser, a high intensity mercury (Hg) arc lamp, a fiberoptic light source, or other high intensity light source appropriatelyfiltered for excitation in the desired range.

As used herein with respect to donor and corresponding acceptorfluorescent moieties “corresponding” refers to an acceptor fluorescentmoiety having an emission spectrum that overlaps the excitation spectrumof the donor fluorescent moiety. The wavelength maximum of the emissionspectrum of the acceptor fluorescent moiety should be at least 100 nmgreater than the wavelength maximum of the excitation spectrum of thedonor fluorescent moiety. Accordingly, efficient non-radiative energytransfer can be produced therebetween.

Fluorescent donor and corresponding acceptor moieties are generallychosen for (a) high efficiency Forster energy transfer; (b) a largefinal Stokes shift (>100 nm); (c) shift of the emission as far aspossible into the red portion of the visible spectrum (>600 nm); and (d)shift of the emission to a higher wavelength than the Raman waterfluorescent emission produced by excitation at the donor excitationwavelength. For example, a donor fluorescent moiety can be chosen thathas its excitation maximum near a laser line (for example,Helium-Cadmium 442 nm or Argon 488 nm), a high extinction coefficient, ahigh quantum yield, and a good overlap of its fluorescent emission withthe excitation spectrum of the corresponding acceptor fluorescentmoiety. A corresponding acceptor fluorescent moiety can be chosen thathas a high extinction coefficient, a high quantum yield, a good overlapof its excitation with the emission of the donor fluorescent moiety, andemission in the red part of the visible spectrum (>600 nm).

Representative donor fluorescent moieties that can be used with variousacceptor fluorescent moieties in FRET technology include fluorescein,Lucifer Yellow, B-phycoerythrin, 9-acridineisothiocyanate, LuciferYellow VS, 4-acetamido-4′-isothio-cyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid,7-diethylamino-3-(4′-isothiocyanatophenyl)-4-methylcoumarin, succinimdyl1-pyrenebutyrate, and4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid derivatives.Representative acceptor fluorescent moieties, depending upon the donorfluorescent moiety used, include LC Red 640, LC Red 705, Cy5, Cy5.5,Lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl chloride, tetramethyl rhodamineisothiocyanate, rhodamine x isothiocyanate, erythrosine isothiocyanate,fluorescein, diethylenetriamine pentaacetate, or other chelates ofLanthanide ions (e.g., Europium, or Terbium). Donor and acceptorfluorescent moieties can be obtained, for example, from Molecular Probes(Junction City, Oreg.) or Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, Mo.).

The donor and acceptor fluorescent moieties can be attached to theappropriate probe oligonucleotide via a linker arm. The length of eachlinker arm is important, as the linker arms will affect the distancebetween the donor and acceptor fluorescent moieties. The length of alinker arm for the purpose of the present invention is the distance inAngstroms (Å) from the nucleotide base to the fluorescent moiety. Ingeneral, a linker arm is from about 10 Å to about 25 Å. The linker armmay be of the kind described in WO 84/03285. WO 84/03285 also disclosesmethods for attaching linker arms to a particular nucleotide base, andalso for attaching fluorescent moieties to a linker arm.

An acceptor fluorescent moiety such as an LC Red 640-NHS-ester can becombined with C6-Phosphoramidites (available from ABI (Foster City,Calif.) or Glen Research (Sterling, Va.)) to produce, for example, LCRed 640-Phosphoramidite. Frequently used linkers to couple a donorfluorescent moiety such a fluorescein to an oligonucleotide includethiourea linkers (FITC-derived, for example, fluorescein-CPG's from GlenResearch or ChemGene (Ashland, Mass.)), amide-linkers(fluorescein-NHS-ester-derived, such as fluorescein-CPG from BioGenex(San Ramon, Calif.)), or 3′-amino-CPGs that require coupling of afluorescein-NHS-ester after oligonucleotide synthesis.

Detection of Staphylococcus aureus

The present invention provides methods for detecting the presence orabsence of SA in a biological or non-biolobical sample. Methods providedby the invention avoid problems of sample contamination, falsenegatives, and false positives. The methods include performing at leastone cycling step that includes amplifying a portion of a SA CPE nucleicacid molecule from a sample using a pair of CPE primers, and a FRETdetecting step. Multiple cycling steps are performed, preferably in athermocycler. Methods of the invention can be performed using the CPEprimers and probes to detect the presence of CPE, and the detection ofCPE indicates the presence of a SA in the sample.

As described herein, amplification products can be detected usinglabeled hybridization probes that take advantage of FRET technology. OneFRET format utilizes TaqMan® technology to detect the presence orabsence of an amplification product, and hence, the presence or absenceof SA. TaqMan® technology utilizes one single-stranded hybridizationprobe labeled with two fluorescent moieties. When as first fluorescentmoiety is excited with light of a suitable wavelength, the absorbedenergy is transferred to a second fluorescent moiety according to theprinciples of FRET. The second fluorescent moiety is generally aquencher molecule. During the annealing step of the PCR reaction, thelabeled hybridization probe binds to the target DNA (i.e., theamplification product) and is degraded by the 5′ to 3′ exonucleaseactivity of the Taq Polymerase during the subsequent elongation phase.As a result, the excited fluorescent moiety and the quencher moietybecome spatially separated from one another. As a consequence, uponexcitation of the first fluorescent moiety in the absence of thequencher, the fluorescence emission from the first fluorescent moietycan be detected. By way of example, an ABI PRISM® 7700 SequenceDetection System (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) uses TaqMan®technology, and is suitable for performing the methods described hereinfor detecting the presence or absence of SA in the sample.

Molecular beacons in conjunction with FRET can also be used to detectthe presence of an amplification product using the real-time PCR methodsof the invention. Molecular beacon technology uses a hybridization probelabeled with a first fluorescent moiety and a second fluorescent moiety.The second fluorescent moiety is generally a quencher, and thefluorescent labels are typically located at each end of the probe.Molecular beacon technology uses a probe oligonucleotide havingsequences that permit secondary structure formation (e.g., a hairpin).As a result of secondary structure formation within the probe, bothfluorescent moieties are in spatial proximity when the probe is insolution. After hybridization to the target nucleic acids (i.e.,amplification products), the secondary structure of the probe isdisrupted and the fluorescent moieties become separated from one anothersuch that after excitation with light of a suitable wavelength, theemission of the first fluorescent moiety can be detected.

Another common format of FRET technology utilizes two hybridizationprobes. Each probe can be labeled with a different fluorescent moietyand are generally designed to hybridize in close proximity to each otherin a target DNA molecule (e.g., an amplification product). A donorfluorescent moiety, for example, fluorescein, is excited at 470 nm bythe light source of the LightCycler® Instrument. During FRET, thefluorescein transfers its energy loan acceptor fluorescent moiety suchas LightCycler®-Red 640 (LC Red 640) or LightCycler®-Red 705 (LC Red705). The acceptor fluorescent moiety then emits light of a longerwavelength, which is detected by the optical detection system of theLightCycler® instrument. Efficient FRET can only take place when thefluorescent moieties are in direct local proximity and when the emissionspectrum of the donor fluorescent moiety overlaps with the absorptionspectrum of the acceptor fluorescent moiety. The intensity of theemitted signal can be correlated with the number of original target DNAmolecules (e.g., the number of SA genomes). If amplification of CPEnucleic acid occurs and an amplification product is produced, the stepof hybridizing results in a detectable signal based upon FRET betweenthe members of the pair of probes.

Generally, the presence of FRET indicates the presence of SA in thesample, and the absence of FRET indicates the absence of SA in thesample. Inadequate specimen collection, transportation delays,inappropriate transportation conditions, or use of certain collectionswabs (calcium alginate or aluminum shaft) are all conditions that canaffect the success and/or accuracy of a test result, however. Using themethods disclosed herein, detection of FRET within, e.g., 45 cyclingsteps is indicative of a SA infection.

Representative biological samples that can be used in practicing themethods of the invention include, but are not limited to dermal swabs,nasal swabs, wound swabs, blood cultures, skin, and soft tissueinfections. Collection and storage methods of biological samples areknown to those of skill in the art Biological samples can be processed(e.g., by nucleic acid extraction methods and/or kits known in the art)to release SA nucleic acid or in some cases, the biological sample canbe contacted directly with the PCR reaction components and theappropriate oligonucleotides.

Melting curve analysis is an additional step that can be included in acycling profile. Melting curve analysis is based on the fact that DNAmelts at a characteristic temperature called the melting temperature(Tm), which is defined as the temperature at which half of the DNAduplexes have separated into single strands. The melting temperature ofa DNA depends primarily upon its nucleotide composition. Thus, DNAmolecules rich in G and C nucleotides have a higher Tm than those havingan abundance of A and T nucleotides. By detecting the temperature atwhich signal is lost, the melting temperature of probes can bedetermined. Similarly, by detecting the temperature at which signal isgenerated, the annealing temperature of probes can be determined. Themelting temperature(s) of the CPE probes from the CPE amplificationproduct can confirm the presence or absence of SA in the sample.

Within each thermocycler run, control samples are cycled as well.Positive control samples can amplify SA nucleic acid control template(other than CPE) using, for example, control primers and control probes.Positive control samples can also amplify, for example, a plasmidconstruct containing SA CPE nucleic acid molecules. Such a plasmidcontrol can be an internally (e.g., within the sample) or in a separatesample run side-by-side with the patients' samples. Each thermocyclerrun can also include a negative control that, for example, lacks SAtemplate DNA. Such controls are indicators of the success or failure ofthe amplification, hybridization, and/or FRET reaction. Therefore,control reactions can readily determine, for example, the ability ofprimers to anneal with sequence-specificity and to initiate elongation,as well as the ability of probes to hybridize with sequence-specificityand for FRET to occur.

In an embodiment, the methods of the invention include steps to avoidcontamination. For example, an enzymatic method utilizing uracil-DNAglycosylase is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,035,996, 5,681,896 and5,945,313 to reduce or eliminate contamination between one thermocyclerrun and the next.

Conventional PCR methods in conjunction with FRET technology can be usedto practice the methods of the invention. In one embodiment, aLightCycler® instrument is used. The following patent applicationsdescribe real-time PCR as used in the LightCycler® technology: WO97/46707, WO 97/46714, and WO 97/46712.

The LightCycler® can be operated using a PC workstation and can utilizea Windows NT operating system. Signals from the samples are obtained asthe machine positions the capillaries sequentially over the opticalunit. The software can display the fluorescence signals in real-timeimmediately after each measurement. Fluorescent acquisition time is10-100 milliseconds (msec). After each cycling step, a quantitativedisplay of fluorescence vs. cycle number can be continually updated forall samples. The data generated can be stored for further analysis.

As an alternative to FRET, an amplification product can be detectedusing a double-stranded DNA binding dye such as a fluorescent DNAbinding dye (e.g., SYBR® Green SYBR® Gold (Molecular Probes)). Uponinteraction with the double-stranded nucleic acid, such fluorescent DNAbinding dyes emit a fluorescence signal after excitation with light at asuitable wavelength. A double-stranded DNA binding dye such as a nucleicacid intercalating dye also can be used. When double-stranded DNAbinding dyes are used, a melting curve analysis is usually performed forconfirmation of the presence of the amplification product.

It is understood that the present invention is not limited by theconfiguration of one or more commercially available instruments.

Articles of Manufacture/Kits

The present invention further provides for articles of manufacture orkits to detect SA. An article of manufacture according to the presentinvention can include primers and probes used to detect SA, togetherwith suitable packaging materials. Representative primers and probes fordetection of SA are capable of hybridizing to SA CPE nucleic acidmolecules. In addition, the kits may also include suitably packagedreagents and materials needed for DNA immobilization, hybridization anddetection, such solid supports, buffers, enzymes, and DNA standards.Methods of designing primers and probes are disclosed herein, andrepresentative examples of primers and probes that amplify and hybridizeto SA CPE nucleic acid molecules are provided.

Articles of manufacture of the invention can also include one or morefluorescent moieties for labeling the probes or, alternatively, theprobes supplied with the kit can be labeled. For example, an article ofmanufacture may include a donor fluorescent moiety for labeling one ofthe CPE probes and an acceptor fluorescent moiety for labeling the otherCPE probe, respectively. Examples of suitable FRET donor fluorescentmoieties and corresponding acceptor fluorescent moieties are providedabove.

Articles of manufacture of the invention can also contain a packageinsert or package label having instructions thereon for using the CPEprimers and probes to detect SA in a sample. Articles of manufacture mayadditionally include reagents for carrying out the methods disclosedherein (e.g., buffers, polymerase enzymes, co-factors, or agents toprevent contamination). Such reagents may be specific for one of thecommercially available instruments described herein.

The invention will be further described in the following examples, whichdo not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

EXAMPLES

The following examples and figures are provide to aid the understandingof the present invention, the true scope of which is set forth in theappended claims. It is understood that modifications can be made in theprocedures set forth without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Example 1 Selection of the Capsular Polysaccharide Enzyme Gene Target

The CPE gene targeted was determined to be specific to S. aureus and notpresent in other Staphylococcal species by BLAST sequence analysis usingwhole genomes publicly available for S. aureus and several otherStaphylococcus species.

Primer sites were chosen within the CPE gene that would yield ampliconsless than 250 bp in length, and have either double dA or double dCnucleotides on the 3′ end (if possible). Primers were also selected tohave Tm's greater than 64° C., and made with a 3′ t-butylbenzyl modifierto reduce primer dimer and increase specificity during PCR. Afterinitial primer sites were chosen, they were BLAST searched to check forspecificity to S. aureus, and evaluated using Oligo 6 Primer AnalysisSoftware to check for the probability of primer dimer formation andfalse priming sites elsewhere in the CPE gene.

Homology of the CPE gene within S. aureus was verified by sequencing theCPE gene from 20 unique S. aureus isolates, as well as by BLASTsearching public sequence databases. Exclusivity of each primer set wasverified by amplification with other Staphylococcal species (S. captis,S. hominis, S. haemolyticus, S. ludgunensis, S. carnosus, S.saprophyticus, and S. scirui).

The CPE gene cap5N within S. aureus is about 880 base pairs long, anddue to its unique presence and high homology in S. aureus, it is anideal target for specificity and exclusivity to this organism. Severalpotential PCR amplicons were designed and tested for optimal performancewithin this gene, and the following four oligo set options yielded themost products (observed by gel electrophoresis), as well as the highestfluorescence and earliest elbow values observed by TaqMan® analysis.

CPE Oligo Set #1 Up Primer: (SEQ ID NO: 2) ACACCAATGAACCCTACGACJ (J =t-butylbenzyl dC) Dn Primer: (SEQ ID NO: 3) TAATTGATCAATAAATGCTGTCAGJ(J = t-butylbenzyl dA) Probe: (SEQ ID NO: 4)

Amplicon generated from Oligo Set #1: (SEQ ID NO: 5)ACACCAATGAACCCTACGACCAACTATGGTATTTCCAAAAAGTTCGCTGAACAAGCATTACAAGAATTGATTAGTGATTCGTTTAAAGTAGCAATTGT

AATCAGCGCAGTGCATTATATATTAAACATCTGACAGCATTT ATTGATCAATTACPE Oligo Set #2: Up Primer: (SEQ ID NO: 2) ACACCAATGAACCCTACGACJ (J =t-butylbenzyl dC)  Dn Primer: (SEQ ID NO: 6) GATCAATAAATGCTGTCAGATGTTTAJ(J = t-butylbenzyl dA) Probe: (SEQ ID NO: 4)

Amplicon generated from Oligo Set #2: (SEQ ID NO: 7)ACACCAATGAACCCTACGACCAACTATGGTATTTCCAAAAAGTTCGCTGAACAAGCATTACAAGAATTGATTAGTGATTCGTTTAAAGTAGCAATTGT

AGCGCAGTGCATTATATATTAAACATCTGACAGCATTTATTGATC CPE Oligo Set #3:Up Primer: (SEQ ID NO: 8) GATAAGCTTATTGAACAAGGACATCAJ (J =t-butylbenzyl dA) Dn Primer: (SEQ ID NO: 9) CTTGAGGTGAATTGTTGTGAACJ (J =t-butylbenzyl dC) Probe: (SEQ ID NO: 10)

Amplicon generated from Oligo Set #3: (SEQ ID NO: 11)

CPE Oligo Set #4 Up Primer: (SEQ ID NO: 12)AAGATAAGCTTATTGAACAAGGACATJ (J = t-butylbenzyl dC) Dn Primer:(SEQ ID NO: 9) CTTGAGGTGAATTGTTGTGAACJ (J = t-butylbenzyl dC) Probe:(SEQ ID NO: 10)

Amplicon generated from Oligo Set #4: (SEQ ID NO: 13)

PCR Conditions:

25 μL of S. aureus genomic DNA diluted in 30 mM Tris, pH 8.5, plus 18 μLof master mix (154 mM Tricine, 110 mM Potassium Hydroxide, 190 mMPotassium Acetate, 19% Glycerol (v/v), 2.3% DMSO, 1.16 mM dATP, 1.16 mMdCTP, 1.16 mM dGTP, 1.16 mM dUTP, 1.0 μM upstream assay primer, 1.0 μMdownstream assay primer, 0.185 μM probe, 308 U/mL ZO5 DNA polymerase,150 U/mL UNG, 0.09% Sodium Azide (w/v), pH 8.50, plus 7 μL of activationmix (50 mM Magnesium chloride).

PCR Instrument:

LightCycler® 480 with Cobas® z480 Filter Configuration

Example 2 CPE Oligos Performance Evaluation Method

Referring to FIGS. 3A-3D, evaluation of the CPE oligo sets #1-4 occurredby evaluating genomic DNA from 12 unique, cultured S. aureus organisms.Genomic DNA from each S. aureus organism was diluted to ˜105 c/PCR in 30mM Tris, pH 8.5, and 25 μL of genomic DNA was added to 18 μL ofpre-formulated master mix plus 7 μL of activation reagent.Pre-formulated master mix contained the following componentconcentrations: 154 mM Tricine, 110 mM Potassium Hydroxide, 190 mMPotassium Acetate, 19% Glycerol (v/v), 2.3% DMSO, 1.16 mM dATP, 1.16 mMdCTP, 1.16 mM dGTP, 1.16 mM dUTP, 1.0 μM upstream assay primer, 1.0 μMdownstream assay primer, 0.185 μM probe, 308 U/mL ZO5 DNA polymerase,150 U/mL UNG, 0.09% Sodium Azide (w/v), pH 8.50. Activation reagentcontained 50 mM Magnesium chloride.

Example 3 Exclusivity Evaluation Method

Evaluation of the exclusivity of CPE oligo set #4 occurred by combining1 μL of Staph sp. genomic DNA diluted to ˜10⁶ c/μL in 30 mM Tris, pH8.5, plus 50 μL of reconstituted master mix. Reconstituted master mixconsisted of genomic DNA in 25 μL of 30 mM Tris, pH 8.5 plus 18 μL ofpre-formulated master mix plus 7 μL of activation reagent (50 μL totalvolume). Pre-formulated master mix contained the following componentconcentrations: 154 mM Tricine, 110 mM Potassium Hydroxide, 190 mMPotassium Acetate, 19% Glycerol (v/v), 2.3% DMSO, 1.16 mM dATP, 1.16 mMdCTP, 1.16 mM dGTP, 1.16 mM dUTP, 1.0 μM upstream CPE primer, 1.0 μMdownstream CPE primer, 6.0 uM other assay primers (not CPE targets),0.185 μM CPE target probe, 1.0 uM other assay probes (not CPE targets),308 U/mL ZO5 DNA polymerase, 150 U/mL UNG, 0.09% Sodium Azide (w/v), pH8.50. Activation reagent contained 50 mM Magnesium chloride.

CPE Oligo Set #4 Organism ID Ct's S. capitis 1194 −1 S. capitis 3104 −1S. capitis 5662 −1 S. capitis 10728 −1 S. capitis 10729 −1 S. capitis10730 −1 S. capitis 10731 −1 S. capitis 10732 −1 S. capitis 10733 −1 S.saprophyticus 10738 −1 S. saprophyticus 10740 −1 S. sciuri 323 −1 S.sciuri 10741 −1 S. aureus (ctrl) 10710 29.42 S. aureus (ctrl) 1071428.54 S. haemolyticus 6760 −1 S. haemolyticus 6762 −1 S. haemolyticus10734 −1 S. haemolyticus 10735 −1 S. haemolyticus 10738 −1 S.haemolyticus 10737 −1 S. haemolyticus 1207 −1 S. ludgunensis 5743 −1 S.ludgunensis 7039 −1 S. ludgunensis 10739 −1 S. hominis 3106 −1 S.hominis 5651 −1 S. hominis 10742 −1 S. hominis 10743 −1 S. hominis 10744−1 S. hominis 10745 −1 S. epidermidis 5657 −1

While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity and understanding, it will be clear to one skilledin the art from a reading of this disclosure that various changes inform and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of theinvention. For example, all the techniques and apparatus described abovecan be used in various combinations. All publications, patents, patentapplications, and/or other documents cited in this application areincorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes to the sameextent as if each individual publication, patent, patent application,and/or other document were individually indicated to be incorporated byreference for all purposes.

What is claimed:
 1. A method of detecting Staphylococcus aureus (SA) ina sample, the method comprising: performing an amplifying stepcomprising contacting the sample with a set of SA primers to produce anamplification product of the Capsular Polysaccharide Enzyme (CPE) geneif SA is present in the sample whether or not SA is methicillinresistant; performing a hybridizing step comprising contacting theamplification product of the CPE gene with one or more detectable SAprobes; and detecting the presence or absence of the amplified productof the CPE gene, wherein the presence of the amplified product of theCPE gene is indicative of the presence of SA in the sample whether ornot SA is methicillin resistant, and wherein the absence of theamplified product of the CPE gene is indicative of the absence of SA inthe sample whether or not SA is methicillin resistant; wherein the setof SA primers comprise a first primer consisting of the sequence of SEQID NO: 8, or the complete complement thereof, and a second primerconsisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 9, or the complete complementthereof; wherein the amplification product of the CPE gene produced bythe set of SA primers consists of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 11; andwherein the one or more detectable SA probes comprise at least onedetectable SA probe consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 10, or thecomplete complement thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: thehybridizing step comprises contacting the amplification product of theCPE gene with the detectable SA probe that is labeled with a donorfluorescent moiety and a corresponding acceptor fluorescent moiety; andthe detecting step comprises detecting the presence or absence offluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the donorfluorescent moiety and the acceptor fluorescent moiety of the probe,wherein the presence or absence of fluorescence is indicative of thepresence or absence of SA in the sample.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein said amplification employs a polymerase enzyme having 5′ to 3′exonuclease activity.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said donorfluorescent moiety and said acceptor fluorescent moiety are within nomore than 5 nucleotides of each other on said probe.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein said acceptor fluorescent moiety is a quencher.